Holders Marumo Gallants will look to successfully defend their Nedbank Cup title when they take on Mamelodi Sundowns in the final at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Saturday evening.
Marumo Gallants will come into this fixture on an eight-match unbeaten run across all competition after they were held to a thrilling 2-2 draw by Sekhukhune United when Chibuike Ohizu and Nyiko Mobbie cancelled out goals from Sibusiso Sibeko and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo in their final game of the season.
Mamelodi Sundowns capped their title-winning campaign off with an entertaining 3-2 victory over a stubborn Royal AM side as Gaston Sirino, Thabiso Kutumela and Peter Shalulile got their names on the scoresheet at the Chatsworth Stadium on Monday afternoon.
The Brazilians will be relishing the chance to complete the domestic treble with a win in the final after already clinching the MTN8 trophy and DStv Premiership title, while Gallants are aiming to secure back-to-back Nedbank Cup titles.
Marumo Gallants coach Dan Malesela is hoping to end an up and down season on a high.
“Kind of a good and bad season, good that we started very well … even after the break we did well,” he said.
“And then we started drawing a lot of matches and losing some, which is bad. The good again is that we got ourselves into the final of the Nedbank Cup, so that’s the kind of the season we have and I’m hoping that we will conclude it with a good [by winning the title].”
Mamelodi Sundowns has the upper hand coming into this fixture having won two out of the five encounters between the two teams, while two matches has ended in a draw, with Marumo Gallants only claiming one win in five.
There are no injuries or suspensions to report in both camps as Manqoba Mngqithi and Dan Malesela are expected to have their entire squads fit and ready for the final.
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Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo has by far been one of Gallants’ best players this term and currently stands as their top goalscorer with eight goals across all competition after finding the back of the net in his previous outing against Sekhukhune United FC.
For Sundowns, Peter Shalulile has been a revelation after netting his 29th goal of the campaign across all competitions in their victory over Royal AM on Monday.
Form Guide:
Marumo Gallants Form:
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Mamelodi Sundowns Form:
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